Clarification on Katsuhiro Harada’s Future with Bandai Namco
Recent concerns among Tekken enthusiasts have emerged following rumors that Katsuhiro Harada might be departing from Bandai Namco. This speculation was fueled by changes made to Harada’s LinkedIn profile, which many interpreted as an indication of his intent to leave the franchise. However, Harada has taken the time to address these rumors and reassure fans.
Understanding Harada’s Role in the Tekken Series
Katsuhiro Harada has been an integral figure in the Tekken franchise since its inception. Throughout his tenure, his roles have evolved significantly—from providing voice work for characters in the original game to assuming the director’s chair starting with Tekken 3. Fans are naturally concerned about his potential departure, given his longstanding affiliation with the series.
LinkedIn Update Causes Confusion
The confusion stemmed from Harada’s addition of the hashtag #opentowork to his LinkedIn page. Initial reports, particularly from Genki, suggested that this signified Harada was seeking new employment opportunities outside of Bandai Namco. In response to the uproar, Harada has clarified that he has no plans to leave the company but is simply looking to broaden his professional network. He encourages fans to relax, emphasizing his commitment to the Tekken series.
CORRECTION! Katsuhiro Harada is NOT leaving Bandai Namco. He says he is just looking for more opportunities to meet more people and expand his horizons in the future.https://t.co/7eImnh7ypa — Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) January 20, 2025
Ongoing Development of Tekken 8
Despite initial concerns, it’s important to recognize that Harada’s ongoing involvement is crucial as Tekken 8 continues its development. Just days ago, the game saw the launch of patch 1.11, which along with enhancements, introduced Clive from Final Fantasy 16 into its roster. Furthermore, preparations are already underway for Season 2, expected to debut in spring 2025, indicating that the game is far from reaching its conclusion.
What Lies Ahead for Harada and Tekken
While Harada’s future in the franchise may be uncertain, he has openly expressed that he might only have one more Tekken title left to contribute to, citing age and the implications of development timelines in Japan. Given the substantial gap between Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, it is conceivable that Harada could still play a pivotal role in the development of Tekken 9, potentially launching in the 2030s. For now, however, players can take comfort in knowing that Harada is committed to his current role.
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